Pumping apparatus



C. E. WOOD Nav. 1s, 1947.

PUMPINGVAPPARTUS Filed DSG. 17, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 53@ INVENTOR I B(fiar/e5 E. Waoa. Jg/fam@ 2/ ATTORN EY N0v.18,1947. C EWOOD 2,431,007

PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BYU/@H95E. Wma.

ATTORNEY C. E. WOOD PUMPING APPARATUS Nov. 18, '1947.

Filed Dec. 17, 1945v 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 f8 v INVENTOR (kar/e5 E Wnad.

BY f ATTORNEY Nov.` 18, 1947. c. E. WOOD PUMPING APRATUS4 Filed Dec. 17,1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BYfar/cs E. Wood f. g ATTORNEY M /f.n..wuvuufwwvvwm //J i .OW O|l o l u 1 i 7/ m w JVM@ l 4 6 O M c J W N W.o W1\ nM i O". A

Patented Nov. 18, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMPING APPARATUSCharles E. Wood, Milwaukee, Wis. Application December 17, 1943,seria1Ne.514,599

15 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for pumping granular or abrasivematerials, for eX- ample sand or gravel, from the bottom of a settlingtank and delivering the material at any desired height.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a pumping apparatusof this character wherein the pump proper handles a clean fluid actingas a hydraulic piston to move the material being pumped.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a pumping apparatuswherein the materials are carried in a liquid vehicle in the form of apulp; to provide the pumping apparatus with mechanism for separating thematerial from the liquid vehicle; to provide a pump equipped with meansfor controlling density of the pulp; and to provide for discharge of theliquid vehicle in one direction and the pumped material in anotherdirection.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the pumping apparatuswith a positive action valve mechanism which serves as an agitator inbreaking up the material tending to `compact at the inlet thereof.

in accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I haveprovided improved structure, the preferred forms of which areillustra-ted in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a pumping-apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the separator for separating thematerial from its liquid vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the apparatus showing the pump inplan.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the pumping apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the pump on the line 5 5, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of the pump.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical section through the riser and valvemechanism of the pumping apparatus.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section through one of the pump diaphragms.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view, partly in section, oi a modied formof valve actuating mechanism.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

i designates a pumping apparatus constructed in accordance with thepresent invention and which includes a pump 2 providing the motive forcefor hydraulic pistons pulsated to and from a feed hopper or tank 3 fromwhich material is discharged through risers 4 to a separating head 5under control of a diaphragm inlet valve mechanism 6 and check valves I,as later described. In the illustrated instance, the pumping appa-.ratus is particularly designed for elevating sand or gravel, andtherefore the feed hopper 3 may be a settling tank or classier whereiroma mixture of sand and Water is discharged to the separating head toeffect dewatering of the sand and discharge of the sand at desiredheight above the Water level carried in the hopper 3. Since sand, graveland similar materials are of abrasive character and tend to pack in thecylinders and around the valves of a pump, I have provided a pump whichhandles only fluid which constitutes the hydraulic pistons.

The pump includes a cylinder B, divided intermediate its ends by apartition 9 having a tubular boss I0 extending through a diameterthereof for mounting a shaft therein, as later described. The ends ofthe cylinder have anges IZ' and I3 for attaching diaphragms I4 and I5.The diaphragms are substantially the shape of an automobile casing toform annular expansible and contractible chambers I6 and I'Icommunieating with ends of the cylinder chambers I 8 and I9 between theside walls 2D and 2| of the diaphragms. The side Walls 2|) of therespective diaphragms are clamped to the flanges I2 and I3 by rings 22encircling the cylinder and secured by bolts 23. The other side walls 2|of the diaphragms are clamped to heads 24 by rings 25 secured by bolts26 extending through the rings and marginal edges of the heads as shownin Fig. 5. The heads thus cooperate with the diaphragms in closing theends of the cylinder chambers I8 and I9 and are adapted to be moved toand from the respective ends of the cylinders for expanding andcontracting the diaphragms to effect pulsation of a fluid through openports 2l and 28 communicating with the chambers formed .in the cylinderon the respective sides of the partition 9.

The ports 21 and 28 connect with nipples 29 and 3U for attaching theends of iiexible ducts 3| and 32. The diaphragm heads have transversearms 33 terminating in sleeve-like bosses 34. Extending through thebosses are tie rods 35 having threaded ends 33 for mounting nuts 31 and38 engaging the respective ends of the sleeve-like bosses on the arms sothat the diaphragm heads are connected together and operated inalternate relation, that is, when one of the diaphragms is contracted toforce liquid from that end of the cylinder, the other is expanded todraw liquid therein.

In order to actuate the diaphragms, the shaft I is provided on therespective ends thereof with eccentrics 39 carrying eccentric straps 49of connecting rods 4|. The opposite ends of the connecting rods aresecured to wrist pins 42 extending from one of the heads 24. The shaftis rotated by a gear 43, xed on one end thereof and meshing with adriving pinion 44 on a countershaft 45 rotatably mounted on the upperportion of the cylinder.

The pump thus described is mounted on a base frame 46 having upwardlyextending anges 41 fixed to flanges 48 adjacent the ends of the cylinderas best shown in Fig. 5. In order to support the diaphragm heads incoaxial relation with the cylinder, the lower rods are guidinglysupported on rollers 49 and 59 supported in brackets and 52 fixed to thebase frame in line with the' connecting rods. Liquid supply'ismaintained to the respective cylinder compartments through supply pipes53 and 54 under control of valves 55 and 56. In vorder to assurecomplete filling of the respective chambers with liquid, the upperportions of the respective diaphragms are provided'with vent valves 51and 58 so that the valves may beopened to allow escape of `air as thepump chambers are lled through the pipes 53 and 54.

The feed hopper 3 may comprise a tank having side walls 59 and a bottom6'0. The top of the tank is open, as at 6|, to admit the water separatedfrom the sand and the supply of sand which is admitted through a'spout62. The tank is supported upon the base frame 46 which carries the pump2 and the bottom thereof is provided with an elongated opening 63.Covering the opening 6-3 is a iiexible diaphragm 64 which is secured insealed relation with the marginal edge of the opening by a clampingplate 65 retained by bolts 66 or similar fastening devices.

Formed in the diaphragm, substantially in accordance with the spacing ofthe ports l21 and 2B, are openings 61 and 68 and extending through theseopenings are valve tubes 59 and 19, the valve tubes being anchored tothe diaphragm by clamping rings 1| and l2, one of which is secured tothe tubes and the other being movable thereon and adapted to be drawn inclamping engagement 'with the 'diaphragm by fastening devices such asbolts 13. The valve tubes are supported on the yoke ends 14 of a lever15 which is fixed on a shaft 'I6 having its ends journalled in the baseframe and provided with a rocker arm Tl. The end yokes 14 `are connectedwith the valve tubes by trunnion screws 18 threaded into rings 19 xed tothe valve tubes.

The rocker arm 11 is connected by a link 80 with a rocker arm 8| on ashaft 82, which in turn carries an arm 83 having a cam roller 84engageable with the periphery of a cam 85 mounted on the shaft I Theroller 84 is retained in yielding contact with the periphery of the camby a spring 86 having one end engaging a bracket-like plate 81 on thesub-frame and its opposite end against a foot 83 on the link'BB. Withthis arrangement the shaft is rocked alternately in opposite directionsin timed relation with movement of the respective pump diaphragms sothat the valve tube associated with one pump cylinder is lifted when thediaphragm for that pump -cylinder is contracted and the other tube islowered when the diaphragm for its corresponding pump chamber isexpanded. The valve tubes are connected with the ends of the flexibleducts 3| and 32 so that the ducts hang in a U shape and form downwardlyextending legs 89 connected with the pump and upwardly extending legs 90connected with the valve tubes.

Located in the feed hopper above the valve tubes are riser pipes 9| and92. These risers are supported in fixed position on bracket arms 93fixed to the feed hopper as shown in Figs. 4 and 7. The risers extend asufcient distance above the valve tubes to conduct the sand and watermixture and discharge it at the desired height. The upper ends of therisers carry the separator head 5, now to be described.

Mounted on the upper end of each riser pipe is a dewatering cone 94formed of screen material and having one side 95 pitched in a forwardand upward direction relatively to the extended walls of the risers. Thedewatering cones are connected with the tops of the risers by clampingbands 96. Carried by the clamping bands 96 and spacedaway from thevertical sides of the dewatering cones is a hood-like housing 91, havingan .open front 98 on the side ofthe pitched portions 95 of the cones soas to discharge dewatered material onto a chute 99. The lower end ofVeach riser pipe has a duct .|99 provided with a control valve 19|wherethrough fresh water vis admitted to the .lower `end of each riser.Carried above the valve diaphragm, on the end of each valve tube. is agasket ring |92 adapted to engage a downwardly facing valve seat |93 onvalve seating rings |94 which Vare secured to laterally extending anges'|95 of the riser `tubes by bolts |96. The rings |94 are provided withopenings |61 coaxial `with the valve tubes and carry valve seats |08 forseating check valves |99 in the form of balls, as shown in Fig. 4, toprevent back flow of the sand and water mixture or pulp from therespective riser pipes.

In operating a pumping apparatus constructed as described, each of thepump chambers is completely fille-d with water through the pipes 53 and54 upon opening of the valves 55 and 56, the air being released from therespective chambers through the vent valves 51 and 58. When thediaphragms are completely lled with liquid and the Yliquid begins todischarge through the vents, the valves 5l and 58 are closed. When thecylinders are filled with water a corresponding water level rismaintained in the lower portion of the feed hopper so that the flexibleducts 3| and 32 are completely filled with liquid. The sand is admittedto the feed hopper from a feed spout or th-'e like 62 so that itcollects on the bottom of the hopper 3 in surrounding relation with thelower ends of the riser pipes.

When the pump is started, the shaft Il is rotated to cause theconnecting rods 4l to move the diaphragms responsive 'to throw of theeccentrics 39, contracting one of the diaphragms to discharge liquidfrom that chamber, and expanding the other diaphragm, causing ow ofliquid thereinto. On the next cycle, the operation is reversed so thatthe liquid is alternately moved through one of the ducts 3| or 32 towardits riser pipe, while the liquid in the other tube is being drawn intothe other pump chamber. The columns of liquid in the respective tubesthus form hydraulic pistons and are equivalent to a double acting pump.

Simultaneously with pulsation of the liquid in the flexible ducts 3| and32, the cam 85 rocks the arm 83 to effect rocking of the valve controlshaft 16 through the arm 8| and link 89 against action of the spring 85whenever the high lobe portion of the cam engages the roller 84 sothatthe shaft 'I6 is rocked in a clockwise direction, Figs. 6 and 7, toraise the valve tube 69 and lower the other valve tube iiiy the timingbeing such that when the valve tube 69 is lifted to engage the gasket IZwith the seat |63, the diaphragm having connection with that tube isbeing contracted so that the liquid is discharged from the pump chamberthrough the flexible duct and upwardly through the seat of the checkvalve. The other valve tube, however, is moved away from its seat andthe water is receding in the upper leg of that tube so that sand in thefeed hopper flows into the open upper end of the tube to follow thereceding water. As the high portion of the cam 85 moves out of contactwith the roller 84s', the spring 8S comes into play to rock the shaft lin an anticlockwise direction, reversing movement of the valve tubes sothat the valve 'm is brought into engagement with its seat and the valvetube t9 is moved away from its seat to allow filling of that Ytube withsand from the feed hopper to follow the receding liquid in the tubesince the pump chamber associated with that tube is on its expansionstroke. The other diaphragm, however, is on its contraction stroke andis causing discharge of the water through the valve tube connectedtherewith, forcing the sand collected in the discharge end of theflexible tube past the check Valve and into the riser.

As the pumping apparatus continues in operation, the heads in the riserpipes approach the dewatering cones and the sand and water aredischarged through dewatering cones, the water falling back through thescreen into the feed hopper and the sand discharging through the opentop of the cones. A very small stream of fresh water may be introducedinto the cylinder chambers under pressure or through a check Valve (notshown) on the suction or expansion strokes of the diaphragms so that aconstant stream of fresh water is being discharged through the sand onthe pressure stroke and thereby prevent the sand from falling back intothe flexible ducts to the cylinder. the pulp in the riser pipes so thatit is moved with the same ease as a heavy fluid. The mixture of sand andwater in the flexible ducts and riser pipes is preferably maintained atabout seventy (70%) per cent solids. At this density the pulp has thecharacteristics of a heavy fluid and offers little more pipe frictionthan water. If the solid content rises to as much as seventy-five (75%)per cent or eighty (80%) per cent, the pulp may immediately assume thecharacteristics of a solid and the pipe friction makes pumping almost animpossibility with reasonable pressures, but where the water feed ismaintained so that the pulp This water insures proper fluidity of f.'

Iii

is approximately seventy (70%) per cent solids, a

the top of the screen and falls outwardly towardy the sid-e having thepitch so that the sand is discharged onto the chute entirely o-n thatside of the screen. Inclination or pitch of the cone should not lbe toogreat or a stationary bed of sand will accumulate on the screen andprevent free discharge of the liquid. The liquid and small amount of nesand that filter through the screen flow back into the feed hopper andare reused for maintaining the desired uidity of the pulp. If desired,`the vertical side of the screen may be cut slightly lower than thepitched side. With this arrangement, when the pump exhausts the settledsand in the feed hopper and takes an excess of water into the riserpipes, the water will be discharged over the lower vertical sides of thescreens. This Water then returns to the hopper opposite the sanddischarge side, making an automatic by-pass for the excess water andpermitting the pump to be operated at a speed and displacement that willhandle a maximum load and discharge only when enough tonnage isaccumulated to cover the valve.

While I have particularly illustrated and described the invention asbeing adapted for pumping sand and gravel, it is obvious that it isadapted for pumping any materials which are ordinarily not capable ofbeing handled in ordinary piston actuated pumps. By use of the hydraulicpistons to move the sand, the diaphragms and other pump parts arerelieved from abrasive wear of the solids. This arrangement also permitsuse of diaphragms of U-shaped section with a resulting largedisplacement and long life. The valves and diaphragm being positioned inthe bottom of the hopper, act as agitators to break up any compact massof sand when the pump is idle. The control of the density of the pulp inthe riser pipe is also a mostv desirable feature as the mixture of sandand water permits free motion between the grains of sand, giving thepulp the characteristics of a fluid.

It is obvious that the difference in pitch and height of the sides ofthe dewatering screen section insure movement of the sand on the screensurface on the upstroke to keep the screen clean. This has the tripleadvantage of keeping the screen clean, discharging the dewatered sandentirely over one side of the dewatering cone, and discharging theexcess water over the opposite side Where it can be returned to the feedhopper.

In the form of valve actuating mechanism shown in Fig. 9, the actuatingshaft lli! has an arm connected with toggles ||2 and 3 by links H4 and||5. The toggles are of the same construction and have one link i6thereof pivotally connected with a fixed bracket ||l attached to across-bar ||8 of the sub-frame at a point in alignment with the verticalplane extending through the axes of the respective valve tubes. Theother links |19 of the toggles are pivotally connected with collars |20clamped to the valve tubes |2| and |22. It is thus obvious that when thearm moves one of the toggles to dead center position, the valve tubeconnected therewith is moved into seating engagement with the riser andthe other toggle is hinged to move the valve tube away from its riser asshown in the drawing. Otherwise the construction is the same as in thepreferred form.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A. pumping apparatus including, a tubular riser member, a duct memberhaving a discharge in coaxial alignment with the riser member, meanssupporting one 0f said members for movenient out of abutting engagementwith the other member to allow inflow of material to be pumped and intoabutting engagement with the other member, means for reciprocating themovable member to and from said abutting engagement, pulsating means forpulsating a uid medium in the member receiving said material to expelthe material through the other member, means for actuating thereciprocating means in time with the Vpulsating means and a check insaid other member to prevent back flow of said material when the membersare out of abutting engagement.

2. .A pumping apparatus including, a tank, a flexible diaphragm 'in thebottom of the tank, a Valve tube carried by the flexible diaphragm, ariser tube supported in coaxial alignment with the valve tube, means formoving the valve tube into and out of valving engagement with the risertube, aduct connected with the valve tube, and means for pulsating .a`fluid medium in said duct, said pulsating means acting -in timedrelation with movement of the valve tube.

3. A pumping apparatus including, a tank, a plurality of riser tubes in'the tank, a valve tube for each riser tube, means supporting the valvetubes for movement `to 'and from abutting engagement'with ythe risertubes, means connected with the -valve tubes for eiecting alternatepulsations through the valve tubes, and means for actuating the valvetubes in synchronism with said alterhating pulsations.

V4. A pumping apparatus including, a container for a pulp material, ariser tube having a lower end opening within the container for admittinga pulp to be pumped into the lower en-d of the riser tube, means foreffecting elevation of 'the pulp through said riser tube, a foraminatedhead forming an upward continuation of said riser tube for returningvthe liquid component of said pulp to the container and having an opentop for discharging the solid components of said pulp, and a receiverAfor the solid components, said foraminated head having one side pitchedrelatively to the vertical axis of said riser tube for eiectingdirectional discharge of the solid components of the pulp into saidreceiver.

5. A pumping apparatus including, a pair of cylinder chambers,expansible and contractable diaphragm means at the ends of said cylinderchambers, means for alternately actuating said diaphragm means, flexibleU-shaped ducts having inlet'ends connected with said chambers, valvetubes connected with the outlet ends of said ducts, material vdischargepipes having inlets supported in xed coaxial alignment with said valvetubes, material delivering means surrounding the inlets of saiddischarge pipes, and means for 'alternately moving the valve tubes intoand `out of engagement with the riser pipes, said means operating insynchronism with the diaphragm actuating mean-s.

6. A pumping apparatus including, a pair of tubular riser members, apair of duct members having Vdischarge ends in coaxial alignment withthe riser members, means supporting the members of one pair for movementinto and out of abutting engagement with the members of the other pair,means for supporting a material to be pumped for inflow into one of themembers when said members are out of abutting engagement, means forpulsating a fluid medium in the members receiving said material to expelthe material through the other members, checks in said other members toprevent back flow of said material when the members are out of abuttingengagement, and means for alternately actuating the movably supportedmembers.

'7. A pumping apparatus including, 'a pair of tubular riser members, apair of duct members having discharge ends in coaxial alignment with theriser members, means supporting members of one pair for movement intoand out of abutting engagement with the members of the other pair, meansfor supporting pulp material to be pumped for inflow into the members ofone pair when the members of the other pair are out of abuttingengagement, means for pulsating a uid medium in the members receivingthe pulp to expel the material into the other members when said membersare in abutting engagement, means for alternately actuating the movablysupported members, and means in the top of said riser members forseparating solid components of the pulp from the liquid component.

8. A pumping apparatus including, a riser tube, a container foradmitting a pulp to be pumped into the lower end of the riser tube,means for eiecting elevation of the pulp through said riser tube, afcraminated head forming an upward continuation of said riser tube andlocated over the container for returning the liquid component of saidpulp to the container, a receiver for solid components of said pulp,said head having an open top for discharging the solid components ofsaid pulp into the pulp receiver, said foraminated head having one sidepitched relatively to the vertical axis of said riser tube for effectingdirectional discharge of the solid components of the pulp, and a hoodover said head to direct flow of the separated components.

9. A pumping apparatus including, a pump chamber for a liquid, anexpansible and contractablc diaphragm means connected with said pumpchamber, means for actuating said diaphragm means to pulsate saidliquid, a exible U-shaped duct having an inlet end connected with saidchamber to transmit said pulsations, a valve tube connected with theouter ends of said duct, a riser .pipe supported in xed coaxialalignment with said valve tube, a container for supporting a material tobe pumped for inlet into the valve tube and means for moving the valvetube into and out of engagement with the riser pipe and operating insynchronism with the diaphragm actuating means whereby the pulsatingliquid moves the material through the riser pipe.

10. A pumping apparatus including, a pump chamber for a liquid, anexpansible and contractable diaphragm means connected with said chamber,means for actuating said diaphragm means to pulsate said liquid, aexible U-shaped duct having an inlet end connected with said chamber totransmit said pulsations, a Valve tube connected with the outer ends ofsaid duct, a riser pipe supported in xed coaxial alignment With saidvalve tube, a container for supporting a material to be pumped for inletinto the valve tube means for moving the valve tube into and out ofengagement with the riser pipe, said means operating in synchronism withthe diaphragm actuating means, and means for effecting flow of uid intosaid chamber.

11, A pumping apparatus including, a pair of liquid receiving chambers,expansible and contractable diaphragm means at the ends of said liquidreceiving chambers, means for alternately actuating said diaphragm meansto alternately expel and draw liquid into the chambers, iiexibleU-shaped ducts having inlet ends connected with said chambers to conductsaid pulsated liquid, valve tubes connected with the outer ends of saidducts, riser pipes supported in fixed coaxial alignment with said valvetubes, means supporting material to be pumped through the risers forinlet into the valve tubes, means for alternately moving the valve tubesinto and out of engagement with the riser pipes in synchronism with thediaphragm actuating means whereby the material entering the valve tubesis lifted in the riser pipes by said pulsated liquid, and means foreffecting flow of liquid into said chambers.

12. A pumping apparatus including, a tank, a plurality of riser tubes inthe tank, a valve tube ,For each riser tube, means supporting the valvetubes for movement to and from abutting engagement with the riser tubes,check valves in said riser tubes, means connected With the valve tubesfor efecting alternate pulsations through the valve tubes, and means foractuating the valve tubes in synchronism with said alternatingpulsations.

13. A pumping apparatus including a container for a pump material, ariser tube having an imperforate wall and a lower end opening Within thecontainer for admitting the pulp to be pumped into the riser tube, meansfor effecting elevation of the pulp through the riser tube, aforarn'inated head forming a continuation of said tube and located overthe container through which liquid component of the pulp is returned tothe container while the solid components of the pulp move upwardlythrough said foraminated head, said foraminated head having an open top,and oitake means for receiving said solid components from the open topof said head for discharging the solid components of said pulp.

able member, means for pulsating a fluid medium in the duct memberreceiving said material to expel the material through the tubular risermember, and a check in the tubular riser member to prevent backflow ofsaid material when the members are out of abutting engagement.

15. A pumping apparatus including a tubular riser member, a du-ct memberhaving a discharge end in coaxial alignment with the riser member, acontainer for pulp-like material surrounding the discharge end of theduct member and the inlet of the riser member, means supporting one ofsaid members for movement out of engagement with the other member toallow inow of pulp-like material and into abutting engagement with saidother member, means for moving the movable member, means for introducinga liquid into the riser member to maintain desired uidity of thepulp-like material, means for pulsating a uid medium in said members toexpel the material through the tubular riser member when said membersare in abutting engagement, and means for eiTecting iiow of liquid intothe duct member.

CHARLES E'. WOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of `rec0rd in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Y Name Date 196,684 Griscom May 2, 1893616,537 Honigmann Dec. 27, 1898 827,296 Donnelly July 31, 1906 925,012Moore June 15, 1909 1,264,688 Schilling Apr. 30, 1918 1,512,561 OliphantOct. 21, 1924 1,827,068 Carmichael Oct. 13, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 396,783 France Feb. 5, 1909

